Saan spun the brush in his hand while he focussed on the images on the scroll. Inside the library he sat in a chair next to the window, opposite Hammun who claimed that if Saan bothered him again he would grant him death by a thousand needles. Something completely unfair.
Hammun did not understand what it was like to wish to stand with someone who had no need for him. Aaleyah and Zale had everything, there was nothing he could grant her.
Aidkjeen men were known for being protective of their women. How could the prince of the nation be so useless? Saan slapped his forehead, at this point the one who would need protecting would be him instead.
The path he was walking, Aaleyah would have no need for him. She was mastering the Medes Zuhos dance, and learning the steps for the legendary Aljehni Sword Dance. He could barely do the jumps in the Dlumaeni dance. He repositioned the scroll in his hands, he must grow stronger to prove to Aaleyah that he could stand at her side.
The last time he sparred against Aaleyah he only got one solid hit before being utterly destroyed. While he held strong against Zale… Zale did not really count, being more of an archer anyway. Everyone knew Aaleyah was the better fighter of the twins, and Saan could only imagine how much more terrifying she would be after she perfected weapon concealment.
It was Hammun’s idea, that instead of trying to fight Aaleyah with her strengths, why not perfect what she was weak at? Swordsmanship. Aaleyah hated using a sword, she complained that it was too heavy, and loathed carrying it around her person. Thus while she knew of swordsmanship, she lacked the skills. Her mother, General Aminah would have punished her, for all children in the military should know how to use a sword; Aaleyah was somehow excused. Saan believed it was because she was skilled in everything else.
Saan counted the skills that Aaleyah was perfecting on his fingers. Any blade you could throw was an obvious skill. Her aim was flawless, and she even learned how to throw with her eyes closed. Something he experienced first hand.
He lifted a second finger, archery. While not as good as Zale who seemed to be a natural, she had great aim. Saan grinned, although on a horse she was terrible.
He lifted a third finger. She knew how to make weapons and was getting good at identifying them from a cut it left behind.
He tapped his fingers against his head. Her hand to hand combat was so-so. Saan smiled and lifted the book closer to his face to read. That’s it!
Saan jumped from his seat. “Hammun! I figured it out!” He yelled, rushing to the other side of the room.
Hammun slammed his book closed, his thumb marked his place. “Saan,” he gritted out, “tonight when you go to sleep and the moon lulls you into a nice dream, I am going to go into your chambers and I am going to pour thousands of needles onto your bed. Then after you roll in it, after your body is littered with cuts, I am going to dunk you in lemon juice,” he threatened.
Saan chuckled, his feet faltered slightly. “Just listen to this and I promise to leave you alone.”
Hammun narrowed his eyes. “Speak, go ahead. It is your life.”
“I found a way to beat Aaleyah.”
“Is that all?” Hammun asked, eyes ablaze.
“Are you not going to ask what it is? As my brother, should you not desire to share in my excitement?”
Hearing those words Hammun’s eyes gleamed with so much annoyance that Saan saw his grandfather. “Saan, do tell me how you have decided to attack the woman you may or may not care about. Say everything so you will not have to come back.”
“Thanks.” He took a seat next to him and dumped his scroll atop Hammun’s book. “So, I was thinking about the way Aaleyah fights.” Saan unrolled the scroll and pointed to the images he was studying. “I realized that she relies heavily on her legs. Like this.”
“Great,” Hammun stated boredly.
Saan nodded. “I thought so too, but that is not all.” Saan unrolled more of the scroll. “There is a reason she does this. The fighting style she learned is only one part. Zale and Aaleyah fight together. She is the legs and he is the arms.”
Hammun raised a brow. “What does that mean? I have seen Aaleyah fight with her hands.”
“I know, I know.” Saan was vibrating with excitement at having cracked the code. “The offensive moves Aaleyah has come from her kicks, and then she uses her arms to defend herself.”
Hammun crossed his arms. “How does this knowledge help you? It does not sound like something you can easily exploit. You lack the skills to attack. Aaleyah is fast, you would never be able to exploit her lack of punch attacks.” He playfully punched the air.
Saan huffed. “That is what you think. If I make myself able to withstand the kicks I will win. That is the only offense she has, I will beat her kicks with my punches and take her down,” he stated proudly. “As my younger brother, should you not have faith in me?”
“That sounds absolutely idiotic. Have fun.” Hammun brushed Saan’s book of his scrolls and returned to reading.
Saan was not affected by Hammun’s lack of interest. He had figured Aaleyah out. He just needed to study ways to block kicks and he would eventually be the winner. Maybe he should receive training from Herom.
He sucked his teeth, Herom was scary, all the guards were afraid of him. His teaching methods left no room for rest or laziness. He expected the best at all times. Maybe he would wait another Blue moon.
Outside the palace news had gotten out about the Jian family. Throughout the marketplace everyone was invested in the story.
“The general’s son was really the one who sold the weapons?”
“Are they not best friends with the Aljehnis? Shame, just a moon ago the Aljehni’s were almost forced to take the fall for it.”
“Servees that boy right, he deserved death for his crimes. I heard his father killed himself in prison. He was so aggrieved by his son’s actions.”
“Who wouldn’t be? A monster living in his own home, and I thought generals were supposed to be hypervigilant.”
“Either way he is dead, and the Aljehni family saved us once again. Could you imagine the chaos if those Stilits were still alive and running about? The Heavens have graced us with the Aljehni strength. General Aminah was able to wipe out all the Stilits.”
“We do not know for sure if they were stilts.”
“Please, the evidence makes it obvious,” a boisterous male said.
“But I heard that they did not locate all the weapons that were sold.”
“It is only a matter of time. We need not worry about anything. General Aminah will handle it.”
As the common folk praised the Aljehni legacy, King Saamun's anger only grew. For hours on end he suffocated Megera with his anger. Each morning a servant had to come and feed her, for her body was too weak to move. And as the daylight reached a high and then a low, Megera could finally feel her strength return, that would be when the king too would return. Her pain was as equal as his anger, her tears as plentiful as his jealousy.
Finally after almost half a moon, the king discarded Megera back to her quarters to heal for the next time he would have a need for her. Sick of hearing the praises for the Aljehni the king ceased his games and outright denied any plea or need from anyone close to the Aljehni family. All evidence and witnesses who came to prove the Jian family innocent were ignored. And with the sun high in the sky, in an arena surrounded by all the major families; every member of the Jian family was hung.
Positions that were once open to scholars, were closed. Anyone connected to the scholar’s dreaded academy was ignored. Many fresh graduates were forced to return to their hometowns.
Soldiers were overlooked positions of becoming commanders, and given to those not trained or connected to the Aljehni name. A welcoming ceremony was loudly created for them.
The Lords and Ladies were no fools, they could see the wrath the king swung on a whip. Thus many partnerships with the Aljehni name ended. People were too afraid to buy their weapons less the king heard of it and ostracized them. Students began withdrawing from the academy and were moved to different ones.
What really hit the nail on the forehead was Scholar Leelin. Within the King’s court Scholar Leelin seemed to be one the few that refused to ostracize Scholar Aljehni. It was not that she spoke out in his name, or purposefully sided with him. She was just one of the few who was not swayed by the crowd. If everyone went left because that was the correct path she would follow. But if everyone went left simply because everyone was; Leelin would check what was correct, and if it was right she would go against all others.
So when it was suggested that the Jian estate be burned to the ground, the sides were obviously made. Within the king’s court the officials had eyes, and they had ears as well. It just seemed some of the officials did not use their tongues to say that the Jian family was innocent. Nor did they use their hands to motion to the cries from people. Many of them knew that Babu Jian was guilty, but they all felt despair at the rest of the family being slaughtered unjustly.
If the common folk could see the cruel fate, why could the officials not?
Simple. They refused their senses because the king wanted the case closed.
Scholar Aljehni, and Scholar Leelin, along with their disciples all spoke up for the deceased Jian family. Brought up Aidjeeken customs. The Jian family was beheaded, and due to the crime they did not receive proper burials. Their bodies discarded for animals to feed on. Such treatment to the body could confuse the souls as they travelled to the afterlife. Thus the lost souls must return to their starting place to recall their identity. It was believed that if their home was destroyed they would forever wander, never knowing who they were and how to reach the next life.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Scholar Aljehni did not believe in the old gods, but following the traditions was a sign of respect. That and General Nubian believed in the old gods, it was honorable to respect his faith in death.
Scholar Leelin was a firm believer in the old gods and she refused to allow the entire Jian estate to be turned into dust. She even made a point to remind everyone that the king himself was a follower of the old gods, and thus should be fearful of retaliation if Fsieis decided to become angry.
King Saamun rose from his throne, laughing in irritation. “Scholar Leelin, have you no fear?” His words silenced everyone in the hall.
Scholar Leelin dropped to the floor. “King Saamun, this humble scholar only wishes to remind the fear that the old gods can invoke.”
“Perhaps the king has shown you too much leniency,” one of the magistrates said with a sneer. He walked to stand in the middle of the aisle and bowed to the king. “Your majesty, the crimes against the Jian family have been paid, and leaving the estate alone, showing respect, I fear that it will send the wrong message to the people.”
From her spot on the floor Leelin closed her eyes. The wise choice would be to stay silent, but she was unable, in good conscience, to not speak up for her faith, or for the innocent lives who should be able to resurrect into a new life. “Your majesty is the leader of the people of Aidkjeen, but Fsieis is leader of the souls of the afterlife.”
“You dare to diminish our king’s power.” The magistrate turned to face the men and women of the court. “King Saamun and his blessed grace allotted for women like her, to disgrace his name.”
“I dare not, but the old gods-”
“The old gods have a great many things they must handle. The old gods chose King Saamun, who was born on the day of the king’s star. How dare you!” The magistrate, seeing that the king made no move to stop him, slapped Scholar Leelin across her face.
Scholar Leelin kept her head high and signaled for Scholar Aljehni to stop her students.
Scholar Aljehni rose and made his way to the aisle. “King Saamun is graceful enough to allow the kingdom of Aidkjeen’s people to follow the faith of their choosing. His majesty’s faith in the old gods continues on and enriches the culture of the kingdom. Customs are still followed, tradition holds strong, and the faith’s flame shines brightly in the hearts of its believers.” Scholar Aljehni positioned himself between the magistrate and Scholar Leelin. “It is due to the king’s grace that scholars regardless of faith can come and show their knowledge and loyalty. Scholar Leelin is loyal to the crown, and through her loyalty spoke in defence of the king and his faith.”
King Saamun glared at the two scholars and swallowed his disgust.
From his gaze all in the court knew the rumours were true. The king loathed Scholar Havil Aljehni and believed his words dripped in false civility, and attitude. Believed his golden clothes matched a demon's eyes; and the light on the Aljehni legacy’s path was a trial he must pass.
King Sammun waved for Duke Majidi who obediently stepped forward to speak. “Let us adjourn for the day. The Jian estate will be burned down under the king’s wishes.”
Scholar Leelin sucked in a breath at the same time that her students whispered their shock.
Duke Majidi raised his voice. “Our king is protected by the star of royalty, and the old gods will not retaliate. It is by their will that King Saamun sits on the throne and protects us all.”
Duke Majidi’s guards kept their hands on the hilts of their swords, thus everyone remained quiet and left the court.
Scholar Leelin walked ahead of Scholar Aljehni, their disciples following behind them silently. As they all made their way down the numerous steps of the palace she cleared her throat to speak.
“Scholar Aljehni,” she addressed quietly.
Havil motioned for the disciples to leave when they reached the last step. “Scholar Leelin, at this time, it seems this one owes you an apology.”
Acknowledging Havil’s apologetic eyes she shook her head. "Nonsense, it is not for you that I stood where I stood.” She patted his cheek, a lingering action from their years of friendship. “The king will remove me from court soon, I can sense it. When that happens I will have to trust you to watch over my disciples."
“With my life,” he vowed.
“Not that much. You have your own family to protect. I lucked out and am unmarried.”
Being three Red Moons old, her time of marriage had passed, and due to her years as a scholar she had pushed away every prospecting man. Now it seemed she would lose her position and return to her hometown with nothing to show for it.
“Scholar Leelin, at least allow me to escort you home when the time comes.”
“I will allow that.” She turned towards the stairs they had just descended from. “I only wonder how much time I have left. Every bright day ends with moonlight.”
Later Havil returned home to hear his children working together to attack Herom. He made his way around them into his study to speak to his wife. From the other room he could hear arguments about making arrows and being the best sibling.
He squeezed his wife’s hand, that childish chaos was something he hoped to preserve.
“You are certain of your position in court now? There is no coming back?” Aminah crossed her legs, her foot shaking.
“Aminah after Kemal Adel lost his position in the light, more and more scholars I have trained have lost their prestige as well. Or their favor. No one is willing to hire Kemal in the capital. As we predicted., he will soon have to return to his home. Everyone I have taught, all friends I have, are being scrutinized.”
“And we are certain this is in regards to you? It is not that they have done wrong in the past and due to you are being punished for it. They are completely innocent?” At this point Aminah was not really asking. She was just painfully wishing for more time.
“Scholar Leelin is going to step down from her position,” he confessed.
Her leg stopped shaking. “What? Leelin is gifted. Red Moons ago she was the Kemal of her time. She was wanted by everyone. Surely his majesty would not allow his personal emotions to get in the way of her skillset.”
Havil tapped her knee. “Scholar Leelin, one of the brightest minds in the main kingdoms. Her words and mind are well known. We can both recall how masters across the lands asked to have her as a pupil. Before she chose her teacher and received her job in the king’s court, King Saamun himself said her future was one paved by the old gods.” He scratched at his bun, his long hair was tied up to sit perfectly on his head. “However, her friendship with me has placed a shadow on her path.” His eyes shook with regret.
Aminah rose from her seat and stood behind Havil massaging his shoulders. “Shhh, Leelin has been of age for a long time. She is a lady who needs no pity.”
Havil closed his eyes, enjoying his wife’s comforting touch. “Is pity truly so bad?”
“A woman as intelligent as Leelin has no need for it.”
Havil grasped his wife’s hand and turned to face her. His hand slinked to her side to pull her to fall onto the chair next to him. “Do the wise deserve no one to care for?”
Aminah rested her back against his strong chest, her hands played with his fingers. “If pity comes without action it is useless. What does High Prince Hammaan say?”
He leaned his chin on her cup of her neck. “It has been some time since I spoke to the high prince. The last we spoke was a secret letter the day after the banquet.”
“The king’s punishment?” She surmised.
“Yes. At that time the high prince thought the same way I did. Dangers are arriving at our doorstep. I told you his thoughts, we discussed it,” his sentence slowly faded out, suddenly nervous to speak.
“Your thoughts have changed?” Aminah turned to face him.
“I am not sure you will like it.” He twirled the edge of her braid around his fingers.
“If it is something I will not like, how about you not say it?”
Havil chuckled and rubbed her arm. “My star, this one lacks the wisdom to plan this alone.”
Aminah raised a brow. “Oh, my wisest scholar in the lands claims to be unwise?” She scoffed in disbelief. “What has happened to the world?”
Havil kissed her forehead. “My star, my Aminah, my gift.” His hand caressed her face. “Please tell me you know of my love for you.”
Aminah gave him a chaste kiss. “I have never questioned it.” She sat back and her face grew serious. “I am ready, tell me what you know I do not wish to hear.”
“It is in regards to the proposal Hammaan gave. An oath of allegiance. A method of proving to the king, and all kingdoms, that the Aljehnis are servants to the crown and nothing more.”
“Similar to my family’s customs?”
In the Medes family, every male had to give five Blue Moons of service to the borders. It was dangerous and weapons were not easy to come by. The summers were hot enough to burn skin, and the winters were cold enough to take limbs. However in doing this, vowing to go to such a dangerous place, regardless of station within the capital, King Saamun knew that the Medes family was not a threat.
“What offering could we give, what do we have that we could swear upon?”
Havil scratched at his nose. “The only thing in this world that would bind us to never go against the royal family.” He maintained eye contact, his heart beating an unstable tune.
“The only thing we care for more than our kingdom is our fam-” Aminah froze, her breath slowed and she pulled away. “You do not mean it. That custom had long since died out.”
In the past families would swear loyalty to their king by sacrificing one of their children. With their child’s blood they would write a vow of loyalty, less their child’s soul experience agony.
Aminah’s eyes darkened and she stood. Her hand reached for her staff and her breath returned once she held it tightly. “The kingdom is important, the king is important, but I will never sacrifice my children for anyone, if that means I am not loyal to the king then so be it. Absolutely not!”
Havil rose in shock. “Aminah, you are going to alert the children.” He moved his foot to slide the door closed.
Aminah’s brown eyes blazed as she glared at him, “Perhaps they should be alerted.” Her staff tilted down, and then up. “Do you truly mean to sacrifice them?” She hissed.
Havil took in his wife’s affronted expression. “What? What are you saying?” He held her hands gently. “What is it you think I am saying?”
Aminah’s breaths were deep, preparing herself to move swiftly. Her hand gripped her staff for clarity. “Havil,” she breathed out.
“I think there is a misunderstanding,” he said slowly.
“Then please explain, please tell me what it is you are thinking.” Her icy words were a stark difference from the raging fire in her eyes. The general in her was warring with the mother. Her calm facade being taken over by a mother’s fear.
Havil reached for her but his hand stayed in the air, grasping nothing. “Alright, we have spoken of this before, but I have given it more thought. What if we send one of our children to live within the palace walls. Then King Saamun will have no reason to worry, not with our own blood in his grasp”.
Aminah’s face scrunched, and her fists loosened. “Send our children to the palace?”
Havil had spoken to her about this before.
Her tongue slid dangerously across her bottom lip. “You do not, you were not, you, it was-”
“What is it?” This time when Havil moved to take her hand Aminah did not move away. “What thoughts did your mind devise?”
“I, I thought, I feared that you meant to enact the loyal sacrifice, and kill one of our-”
Havil inhaled sharply. “I would never.” He dropped her hands and locked his own behind his back. It was a position that grounded him. His hands tightened into fists. “Do you think me a monster?”
She gripped her staff with both hands and rested her head against it. “I do not. My mind did not think with reason. After Nubian, after taking his son’s life. After Babu,” she exhaled with a trembling chin. “There are actions one could never think themselves to do. The pain of my decisions, they swim in my thoughts everyday. It was not that I thought you to be a monster. It is that I know I have already become one.” She stepped away from him. “I have taken Babu’s life. I have left Nubian for dead. Then I walk as if it was nothing. As if I have done nothing.
Havil placed his hand on her staff. “Aminah.”
Aminah shook her head. “I trained, I forced my troops to train. But it is all empty, all meaningless without Nubian there. Then I come home and maybe a part of me wished that I was not the only monster.”
Havil wiped the tears that rolled down her cheek.
I am the wrong one,” she whispered.
“Aminah.” He wanted to hold her but she refused.
“Do not,” she cut him off. “I do not wish for pity.”
“A husband is unable to show his wife sorrow? A husband is unable to provide his wife compassion?” He asked.
Aminah cleared her throat and returned her face to one of resolve. “The only thing I have left is my family. I apologize, but for a moment I thought you planned to have me lose it”
Havil pulled into a tight hug, his hand gently running down her back. “My Star, your husband will never allow his family to be in harm’s way.” He tilted his head and kissed her temple. “I will find a way to save us all. This I vow.”
Aminah clung to him tightly. “If the distrust grows, then sending one of our children to live within the palace walls will be endangering them,” she spoke into his chest.
Havil rested his hand atop Aminah’s head. “It is not that serious at the moment, I will make more time.”
